ABSTRACT
Temperature affects growth rate in aquatic organisms. This can be evaluated in short term using biochemical indexes (RNA/DNA and Protein/DNA). The effect of acclimatization temperature on the instantaneous growth and physiological condition of Perna viridis was studied in organisms collected in La Esmeralda, Sucre State (Venezuela) and taken to the laboratory, where groups of 100 organisms (size 3.0 - 3.5 cm, anteroposterior measurement) were acclimatized at 15, 20, 26 or 28 degrees C during four weeks. Later they were kept in a 60 liters aquarium for another six weeks under the same conditions. Each week, ten organisms per group were extracted to measure concentrations of RNA, DNA (by a fluorometric method with ethidium bromide) and proteins (by a colorimetric method), in tissues (digestive gland, adductor muscle and gills). Protein concentration was greater and highly significant at 15 degrees C for all studied tissues. The opposite was obtained with the RNA/DNA and Protein/DNA ratios: the greatest increase was observed at the highest temperature (28 degrees C) for all tissues. At the lowest temperature there was a tendency to reduce both indexes with time. Greater instantaneous growth can be expected at higher temperatures and 28 degrees C was optimal for growth in these specimens.